Sunday Salon: Midway

Another week, mostly the same things. I’m up to chapter 7 of The Count of Monte Cristo and still lots of characters introduced. I finally finished reading One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, and as I predicted, I got into it at the end. Mostly the writing and the character came into such focus towards the end. The review will be up sometime this week, and I want time to read some critical analysis and review with quotes from the book.

I’m quite sad about my stress and my sever lack of time to do anything but stress and work. I miss reading more books on Sunday. I read seven books last month, and it is already half way through March, and I have only finished one book.
I have more than three dozen books borrowed from the library and other sources; this does not include all the books that I own and have not read. I should probably weed books, but I don’t really want to nor do I have time to reflect on what to return or delay reading in the near future.

Though now that I’m finished Ivan Denisovich, I can pick up another small book for my go to read. I’ve decided on Othello by William Shakespeare. Since it is a play, I can finish it relatively quickly, but it is Shakespeare so I will definitely read some critical analysis because it’s fun. One of the things I miss about English or Literature classes is analyzing Shakespeare.

Have a good week everyone.

Dewey‘s negativity meme:

1. When you dislike a book, do you say so in your blog? Why or why not?

In most cases yes because I do want to post often and sometimes due to reading challenges, I am required to make up some reviews. I rather be just a bit honest about the books I read.

2. Do you temper your feelings about books you didn’t like, so as not to completely slam them? Why or why not?

Yes, especially if the book is popular and/or a classic. All things have some positive in them so I try to look for it and consider why I wouldn’t like it but know potentially others could.
3. What do you think is the best way to respond when you see a negative review about a book you enjoyed?

Usually, I ignore it. Some for when people don’t seem to like authors that I like; I just move on. If it’s another blogger who I’ve known for awhile, I’ll express to them while I liked the book. Not often though.

4. What is your own most common reaction when you see a negative review of a book you loved or a positive review of a book you hated?

Once again, I just ignore it. Everyone is free to have their opinion on books, and for the most part, my comments wouldn’t really change their minds on how they felt about the books.5. What is your own most common reaction when you get a comment that disagrees with your opinion of a book?

Usually, I leave it. I can agree or disagree. Many comments can be thought provoking. Though sometimes the comment can be trollish and I’ll just delete it.

6. What if you don’t like a book that was a free review copy? What then?

If I were to review books that I received for free, I would be more likely to be positive about it. I usually try to weigh the positives and negatives evenly in those cases.
7. What do you do if you don’t finish a book? Do you review it or not? If you review it, do you mention that you didn’t finish it?

I don’t think it’s fair to review books I haven’t finished. It hasn’t been truly read if I haven’t gotten through the beginning to the end (however rushed or laborious it was). If the book was truly hard to read it, I say so in my review when I finish it.

Literary Links:

100 Best Last Lines from Novels (PDF)

Did they have fanfiction in the Middle Ages?

3 thoughts on “Sunday Salon: Midway

  • Ann Darnton

    I never read ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’. When I was a child someone gave me an LP gramophone recording of it dramatised and accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 6. I adored it and have never wanted to read the book itself for fear it broke the spell. Even today, over forty years on I can never hear that symphony without going back in Dantes cell.

    Reply
  • bethany

    I liked what you had to say about reviewing books, it is hard for me to give negative reviews on books…but then I figure if I have spent days and days reading it, shouldn’t I ? I don’t know…I don’t like negative reviews…but I can’t be dishonest. I just posted such a negative review about a book that is well-loved by many and I feel bad that I didn’t like it, but I just truly didn’t. Anyway….I liked your answers the the meme

    Reply

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